The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) is one of the oldest and largest Movements for youth in the world. Local and National YMCA Associations are strongly rooted in their communities. Depending on the local context and priority issues affecting young people, YMCAs operate in a wide range of programme areas including:
Sustainable Development
Education & Vocational Training
Gender Equality
Climate Change
Health & HIV/AIDS Prevention
Inter-faith dialogue
Food Security
Leadership Development
Migration
Civic Engagement & Human Rights Education
Emergency Response
Peace-building
In addition to undertaking research, awareness-raising, and training in these programme areas, YMCAs also advocate to ensure adequate national and international public policies that protect and promote the rights of youth and women in particular. Through these actions, YMCAs are creating long-lasting change in the lives of millions of youth and the communities of which they are part. In all activities, strong emphasis is given to youth leadership and youth participation.
